Today I’m over at YA Confidential talking about quitting books (and the guilt that comes with… aahhh!). Please do drop by and weigh in. 🙂
Author: Katy Upperman
One Word Wednesday
Hello, friends… Happy Wednesday!
NO
{Kidding. Sort of. I know Entertainment Weekly is infamous for uglifying would-be heartthrobs [Exhibit A], but that guy is just not my vision of Finnick. There’s nothing wrong with him, per se (he was fine in that Snow White movie), and I’ll try to reserve judgement until I see Catching Fire, but… I just… Boo.}
Lovely
{I love my town so much. Please, Army, don’t make me move away!}
Charming
{The girlie and the locale. On this particular afternoon she said, “It’s a beautiful day. Let’s go for a walk in Carmel!” So we did.}
Perfection
{After years of using the Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe to varying degrees of success, I have officially given it up. I’ve moved on to what I consider the BEST Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe EVER. The secret? A little bit of corn starch. I’ve used this recipe several times now and have yet to produce a cookie that’s anything short of delectable. Recommend!}
Warm
{In case I haven’t made this clear… I love my town! The temperature has been hovering in the low seventies the last few days. It’s so nice to feel the heat of the sun during our walks by the bay.}
Awesome
{We have the *best* sunrises. A definite perk to getting up early!}
Thought-Provoking
{The other day I finished reading A.S. King’s Ask the Passengers. Now, anytime I see a plane in the sky, I think of Astrid sending her love. Such a fantastic book. I’m reviewing it in detail over at YA Confidential today. Please do check it out!}
Tell me: What’s your favorite kind of cookie?
Book Rec: SHARP OBJECTS
Oh, look — I’m recommending an adult novel. Shocking, right? The thing is, Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn is too compelling not to talk about. (Incidentally, the last adult novel I recommended was also by Gillian Flynn, her 2012 thriller, Gone Girl. And today I bought her sophomore effort, Dark Places. You might say I’m a fan…)
From Goodreads:
Words are like a road map to reporter Camille Preaker’s troubled past. Fresh from a brief stay at a psych hospital, Camille’s first assignment from the second-rate daily paper where she works brings her reluctantly back to her hometown to cover the murders of two preteen girls.
Since she left town eight years ago, Camille has hardly spoken to her neurotic, hypochondriac mother or to the half-sister she barely knows: a beautiful thirteen-year-old with an eerie grip on the town. Now, installed again in her family’s Victorian mansion, Camille is haunted by the childhood tragedy she has spent her whole life trying to cut from her memory.
As Camille works to uncover the truth about these violent crimes, she finds herself identifying with the young victims—a bit too strongly. Clues keep leading to dead ends, forcing Camille to unravel the psychological puzzle of her own past to get at the story. Dogged by her own demons, Camille will have to confront what happened to her years before if she wants to survive this homecoming. With its taut, crafted writing, Sharp Objects is addictive, haunting, and unforgettable.
Gillian Flynn has an amazing talent for creating deplorable characters that you can’t wait to learn more about. It’s really a remarkable gift, the way she pens unreliable, insufferable, repulsive people, yet makes them so fascinating, you’re sad when their stories come to a close. That’s not to say that all of Sharp Object‘s characters are horrendous; there were a few people within the pages of this novel who allowed me to retain my faith in humanity. I can’t say more about them, though, because to do so would be to ruin the experience for you.
I won’t say too much about Sharp Object‘s plot, either, for fear of spoiling its twistiness, but I will tell you that this book is a freaking trip. It’s disturbing in the most captivating way, and I am not easily disturbed. I experienced one particularly gruesome scene (Amma at the hog farm, for those who’ve read) at the gym on the elliptical and pretty much had to pick my jaw up off the floor while trying (and failing) to maintain my pace. *shudder* Several times I had to put the book down and step away. There were many passages that made my eyes go wide with horror. I can’t even recall how many times, while reading, I looked over at my husband and said, “Holy hell. This book is fifty shades of effed up.”
I read Sharp Objects through my own filter, from the perspective of an appreciated daughter, a loving mother, and a human being with a soul, and while this is very clearly fiction, in the back of my mind I kept thinking that the things that went on in this story do actually happen in homes and towns across American. Terrifying. While it feels wrong to say I enjoyed this novel, I certainly found it an entrancing, page-turning read. If you’re looking for a psychological thriller and are not easily offended, disturbed or freaked out, please do pick up Sharp Objects. (Big thanks to my mom for being NOTHING like Adora, and for lending me her copy of Sharp Objects!)
Tell me: What’s the last non-YA book you read and loved?
Currently…
(I originally got the idea for “Currently…” from Kate Hart, who snagged the idea from Amy Lukavics, who picked it up here.)
Loving
Hot apple cider. Random, but it’s been tasting extra yummy lately…
My new L’Oreal Hair Serum. Finally a product to counteract our hard water…
Trader Joe’s — I always feel so happy in that store…
Babies! On Sunday, one of my favorite friends had an adorable little boy. Yesterday I got to visit him and hold him… So fun!
Reading
I’m a few chapters from the end of Gillian Flynn’s Sharp Objects. Just like last year’s Gone Girl, Flynn’s debut is FREAKING ME OUT. So many deplorable, pitiable characters. So many visceral, disturbing images. Such astute, evocative language. I cannot put it down.
Watching
HBO’s Girls. Lena Dunham is brilliantly funny. Never before has a show made me enjoy cringing. Also, MTV’s Catfish. I have a mini-crush on Nev, and every single episode is absolutely captivating. (On the subject of TV, I’m ready for Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead and Game of Thrones to return!)
Thinking About
The end of my revision. I’ve incorporated all the feedback my agent and I discussed and I am loving the results. Just a few chapters left in my final read-through, a quick beta test, and then my manuscript will be on its way back to the inbox of Agent Victoria… Yay!
Anticipating
That quick beta test I mentioned above? I’m swapping manuscripts with one of my favorite blog friends. We both love to read and write upper contemporary YA (with lots of romance!), but oddly enough, we’ve never read each other’s work. That’s serving us well, though, because we’re both needing fresh eyes on our manuscripts. I can’t wait to read hers!
Listening To
Ho Hey by The Lumineers… Not exactly country, but this song rocks.
Wishing
For warmer weather! I acclimated to the pleasant temperatures of my new California home pretty quickly. Lately, though, it’s been freezing! Okay, that’s probably dramatic. Today it got up to 55, but in the mornings when I get up to run… Brrr! Hurry up, spring!
Making Me Happy
My loves… always.
What’s currently making YOU happy?
WSU, NFL, and the 12th Man
One of the many, many reasons I love my university… Butch T. Cougar, all geared up for tomorrow’s big game.
Go Seahawks!
I’m a (Re)Writer
The other day I read a fantastic piece written by YA author Jessica Spotswood entitled On Being a Slow, Inefficient, Imperfect Writer. Jessica talked a lot about comparing oneself to others and insecurities, specifically those writerly insecurities we all struggle with from time to time:
…I’ve still been sitting over here, judging myself for it. And it’s taken all the fun out of writing for me lately. If it’s not fun anymore, what the hell is the point?
Right?!
In the spirit of Jessica’s wisdom, I’d like to share a recent epiphany I’ve had about my writing:
I am a REwriter.
I have to write something (a sentence, a scene, a story) wrong at least once before I figure out how it should actually be written. Sometimes it takes two tries. Sometimes it takes ten. Let me tell you… Rewriting can be a frustrating experience for this perfectionist. But it’s a process – it’s my process – and even though it can be tedious and wearisome, it’s how I get to know my characters and their voices and their motivations and their goals. It’s how I get to know my story. I don’t think I could do it any other way.
So, instead of worrying that my process is abnormal or stressing about the eons of time I spend getting a manuscript just-so, I’m going to take Jessica’s advice and respect the process. I’m going to learn to be okay with where I am and how I do things. I’m going to have fun!
Tell me… What kind of writer are you?
Debut Author Challenge
I mentioned on Friday that I’m all signed up for the 2013 Debut Author Challenge. Just to make it officially official in my head, I compiled a list of twelve 2013 debut releases I plan to read over the course of the year. Here they are, with each cover linking to the book’s Goodreads page (release dates are subject to change, of course).
The Madman’s Daughter by Megan Shepherd, January 29th
Infinite Sky by C.J. Flood, February 14th (I adore this cover!)
Pretty Girl-13 by Liz Coley, March 19th
Taken by Erin Bowman, April 16th (This cover too… Loveliness!)
The Neptune Project by Polly Holyoke, May 21st
Charm and Strange by Stephanie Kuehn, June 11th
45 Pounds (More or Less) by K.A. Barson, July 11th
Canary by Rachel Alpine, August 1st (I think this cover rocks too!)
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea by April Gemevieve Tucholke, August 20th (And this cover… Gorgeous!)
Red by Alison Cherry, October 8th
Fault Line by Christa Desir, November 12th
These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner, November 12th (Not the official cover, obviously.)
Incidentally, I’ve had the pleasure of reading two advanced copies of 2013 debuts: Kristin Halbrook’s Nobody But Us, and Emily Murdoch’s If You Find Me. They are both fantastic, and I highly recommend adding them to your own list of 2013 debut novels. And if you’re looking for more 2013 debuts, check out the Meet the Lucky 13s page for tons of titles, authors, and links.
Tell Me: What 2013 debuts are you most looking forward to?
Five on Friday
1. Have you heard about the Jan Plan? It’s my friend Christa Desir‘s idea, and it’s very simple: Finish a project in January. Any project. At your pace, in your time, for your own benefit. Originally, I’d planned to finish the first draft of my NaNo WiP, but I just got at editorial letter from Super Agent Victoria (yay!) and I’ve decided that the project I’ll complete this month will be a revision of Cross My Heart. Nothing too crazy needs to be changed, but Victoria has given me some awesome ideas for upping the tension and tightening the pacing in the first half of the story. I’m all in. I hope to have Cross My Heart submission-ready before February. And when I do, I’ll tackle my NaNo Wip.
2. I’ve read some amazing books lately. Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor, which I mentioned during the YA Superlatives Blogfest but never officially reviewed (it’s disturbing and gorgeous and heartbreaking – read it!), and Graffiti Moon by Cath Crowley, which is captivating and romantic and gritty, not to mention beautifully written (thanks for the recommendation, Tracey!). Currently, I’m reading Seraphina by Rachel Hartman. While dragons aren’t usually my thing, so far I’m enamored by this book’s unique concept and incredible world building.
3. Speaking of books, I’ve got some highly anticipated novels in my very near future. I’ve preordered Shades of Earth by Beth Revis, Through the Ever Night by Veronica Rossi, and Just One Day by Gayle Forman (one of my literary heroes!). Plus, I’ve recently been told that The Age of Miracles and The Sweeter Side of Amy’s Bread (a pastry cookbook!) are must reads. Thanks for the recommendations Erin and Jess!
4. I signed up for the Debut Author Challenge! I haven’t signed up in previous years, but I always do my best to support new authors. Often debut releases end up being some of my favorites. 2013 is a huge year for debuts, seeing as how some of my friends have their first books coming out: Erin Bowman, Christa Desir, Ann Rought, Amie Kaufman, and Cristin Terrill, to name a few.
5. My husband, girlie, and I went to Phoenix to visit my parents for the New Year. I love the desert…
My girlie fed ostrich, and I let a bird land on my head. Yes.
Sunrise loveliness.
Happy New Year from us. 🙂
Oh, and this happened. Don’t forget to be awesome!
Tell me: What’s new with you? Are you participating in the Jan Plan? What are you reading these days?
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
So. 2012 was pretty fantastic, but I’m hoping 2013 will be bigger and better. What about you?
This time last year, I decided on RESOLVE as my Word of the Year (thanks again for the idea, Jessica Corra!). That little word went a long way in helping me achieve many of the goals I’d set for myself. I thought of resolve often, like early in the morning when I didn’t feel like getting up for a run, and late at night when my eyes were almost too tired to finish revising. Resolve helped get me through a lot, which is why I plan to keep it in mind this year as well.
While I’ll continue to live life with resolve, I’ve decided on a new word for 2013:
ACCEPTANCE
I’m very much a Type-A person. I like to have a plan, I like to be in control, and I like to make sure things get done. Seeing as how I’m an Army wife and I have inserted myself into the oh-so-unpredictable world of publishing, my Type-A-ish-ness often struggles. I wonder and worry and stress A LOT, which is why I’m going to try very hard to go with the flow in 2013. I will work as hard as I can and do everything in my power to find success, but I will also try to remember that sometimes, what will be just… IS. There is so much I cannot control (in publishing and in general), so I vow to do my best to accept life’s events as they come, and appreciate them for what they are.
For me, 2013 is about acceptance.
What will the New Year be about for you?
2012 in Review…
Last year I posted a 2011 Year in Review. Not only was it fun to share the highs and lows of my year with you all, it was also fun to look back on all that had happened over the previous twelve months.
So, of course I had to take some time to reflect on 2012. While I wasn’t successful in ALL of my goals, I did meet many. I had tons of fun with my family, I grew as a writer and reader, and I made some fantastic new friends along the way. It’s been a busy year, full of changes, hard work, and lots of fun…
January
I blogged about goals, and decided on RESOLVE as my all-encompassing word for 2012. I also mused about the struggles of rewriting.
I survived a winter storm that threatened my sanity.
I started the year off reading and reviewing a couple of awesome books: A Million Suns by Beth Revis and The Fault in Our Stars by John Green.
At the end of the month, my girlie and I welcomed my husband home from Afghanistan (yay!).
I raved about another favorite of 2012, The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour.
February
I blogged about my preference for character-driven YA, and shared my Two-Minute Tension Test.
I celebrated Valentine’s Day with BOTH of my loves!
I turned thirty-one. No comment.
I attended my husband’s Welcome Home Ball and had a *little* too much fun. 🙂
March
I read and reviewed another 2012 favorite: Lauren Oliver’s Pandemonium.
I worked on a substantial revision of Where Poppies Bloom and resubmitted it to the agent I was working with at the time. (In case you’re wondering, I eventually came to the very difficult realization that Poppies isn’t going to sell the way it’s currently written. As of now, the story is “retired” and waiting for a rewrite that will hopefully come in 2013… Tough stuff.)
I had the pleasure of spending a long weekend in Vancouver BC with my husband. Such a fun, beautiful city!
Saw The Hunger Games. Awesome!
I blogged about my on-again-off-again struggles with procrastination (and why it’s not always a bad thing).
April
I successfully completed the A-Z Blogging Challenge, which was so fun! Thank you again to all of the hosts and organizers!
I met a few of my favorite authors (Gayle Forman, Nina LaCour, and Stephanie Perkins) during the Seattle stop of the YA or Bust Tour.
I was invited to become an Operative over at YA Confidential. Love my fantastic new blogging buddies!
May
I participated in Blog Me MAYbe, brainchild of writer/blogger/all-around-awesome-person Sara McClung.
I blogged about The Page Sixty-Nine Test, a writer’s trick I learned from clever author Gayle Forman.
We moved from Washington to central California, and made a big ol’ road trip out of the ordeal.
After we settled in to our new house, I shared a little bit about how I plot stories and write first drafts.
My husband and I celebrated our ninth wedding anniversary!
I read and recommended Veronica Rossi’s stunning debut, Under the Never Sky.
I shared my miracle cures for writer’s block, and started tackling a major rewrite of my YA contemporary manuscript, Cross My Heart.
June
Oh, look! Another outstanding 2012 book: Amelia Anne is Dead and Gone by Kat Rosenfeld.
Around this time, I scored a few amazing new critique partners. I can’t even put into words how grateful I am for Temre, Taryn, and Alison!
My cutie pie got her very first library card, and had quite the Marilyn moment.
July
I posted about “gap books” and committed to reading a few of mine (including The Book Thief), and brought the “One Space or Two” debate to my blog.
I read and gushed about Kristin Cashore’s Bitterblue, my VERY FAVORITE book of 2012!
I completed my Cross My Heart rewrite!
My girlie and I made the loooong trip to Phoenix to visit my parents, my brother, and my cutie pie nephew.
My husband and I saw Brad Paisley and The Band Perry… Incredible!
August
I helped my sweet girl celebrate her fifth birthday…
… and watched as she headed off to kindergarten. Very bittersweet!
September
I tackled a frustrating revision of Cross My Heart, one that came with some bad-but-unrelated writing news. I threw myself a pity party, but that pain in the ass revision eventually made Cross My Heart what it is today.
I posted about yet another phenomenal 2012 release: This is Not a Test by the infinitely brilliant Courtney Summers.
Took a trip to Washington to visit family and see Tim McGraw(!).
I posted about taking a break and why it’s important, jumped on the “Currently…” bandwagon, blogged about how running parallels revising, and shared my take on Banned Books Week.
October
I visited an apple orchard with my girlie, and blogged about method writing (which, for me, involves A LOT of baking and running).
I talked about Cross My Heart, my “Next Big Thing,” and scored some awesomely encouraging comments in the process!
I wrote six words of advice for Teen Katy, which Erin L. Schneider combined with the advice of many other YA bloggers/writers into this amazing video.
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater. Perfectly creepy-weird. I couldn’t help but sing its praises!
I indulged my girlie and “dressed up” for Halloween. Little Miss Merida just LOVES this holiday!
November
I took a risk and signed up for National Novel Writing Month for the first time. The WiP I worked on is an upper YA contemporary romance. What else? 😉
I ran (and finished!) the Big Sur Half Marathon, meeting a goal I’d set for myself ages ago. I was exhausted at the end, yet so proud!
I blogged about all the things I’m thankful for…
…and raved about another amazing book, Hannah Harrington’s Saving June (not released in 2012, but one of the best books I read this year).
In slightly less positive news, I parted ways with my former agent and began querying new agents. I didn’t blog about the ordeal until later, but this experience put a bit of a damper on an otherwise extraordinary month.
I WON National Novel Writing Month! (No matter that I haven’t touched the manuscript since November — I still love it! And, I plan on finishing the first draft and making in CP-worthy during the month of January.)
December
I accepted super-agent Victoria Marini’s offer of representation. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with Victoria, and I look forward to seeing what the New Year brings in the way of manuscript submissions!
I got to go to Disneyland! Seriously. The happiest place on Earth.
I read and recommended yet another amazing 2012 book: Lovely, Dark and Deep by Amy McNarama. Love, love, love!
I celebrated my husband’s birthday WITH him for once. It was a fantastic day full of The Hobbit, Buffalo Wild Wings, and homemade birthday cake.
I co-hosted the Class of 2012: YA Superlatives Blogfest with Jessica Love, Tracey Neithercott, and Alison Miller. Such a great turn-out this year. My To-Read list grew about a mile!
And last but not least, I celebrated the holidays with my husband and this sweet girl, and took some time to reflect on the passing year.
Phew!
Tell Me: How was your 2012? What are your hopes for 2013?
Katy Upperman ~ Author 